UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the past 13 years, the Penn State Smeal College of Business Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs has hosted the START Essay Contest, encouraging students to think about diversity and the part they play in making it happen on campus and in their professional and personal lives.

This year, the contest asks, “How can you leverage your knowledge of diversity and inclusion to create a platform or program that promotes a long-lasting impact within your community?”

Jamie Campbell, assistant dean for diversity enhancement, said students should submit to the essay contest not just for scholarship, but to be heard by their peers, as well as business leaders and the Penn State community.

“The START conference and the essay contest are important because they allow students to have a say and set the agenda in what diversity could and should be. These opportunities allow everyone across Penn State to see how business values and understands that diversity is important,” Campbell said.

START (Striving Toward Awareness and Respect for Tomorrow) is a professional development conference designed to increase diversity and inclusion awareness in corporate settings. It includes network opportunities and workshops on a variety of topics.

The START committee, comprised of undergraduate Smeal students, develops the contest prompt and selects the winners. Three prizes, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000, are awarded. The deadline for this year’s contest is Jan. 27. Winners will be recognized and are required to present at the START conference on March 30.

The contest is open to all full-time undergraduate student enrolled at any Penn State campus. To learn more about the contest and submit an essay, visit https://www.smeal.psu.edu/startconference/start-diversity-award-details/.